I’m sitting in an airport, waiting for my final flight home to Reno from our capital. Back to my life as it was last week – but not exactly. The No Kill Conference 2010 was revitalizing for me and inspirational for all, but I expected nothing less. The aftermath buzz is that this year was even more wonderful than last year.

But the conference was about the future. Nathan Winograd, founder of the No Kill Advocacy Center who presented this conference, promised us that it is a bright future if only we make the commitment. “No kill is not a series of dogmas we cling to with religious fervor, but it is a philosophy that first and foremost values life,” he reminded us in his closing comments. “In all of its manifestation, irrespective of practical considerations, it does not fear change and it does not make excuses; it champions life.”

Going forward, I return to Nevada Humane Society where we will continue to improve the save rates. (July 31 marked the end of our most productive adoption month ever – 1,006 pet adoptions.) And how fitting that we’re launching a new venture – Humane Network – where fellow believers and industry experts are partnering together to provide practical tools and services to other organization and communities that have the commitment and just need the know-how. Although, I couldn’t be prouder of what’s been accomplished in Reno, it’s not enough to have a handful of no kill communities.

Nathan assured us that the bright future included a no kill nation in our lifetime – and we all believed him. The sponsors, hosts, speakers and attendees of this conference are a microcosm of what exists across the country. I know in my heart and soul that they can’t be stopped!

If you wake up and don’t want to smile,If it takes just a little while,Open your eyes and look at the day,You’ll see things in a different way. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow,Don’t stop it’ll soon be here,It’ll be better than before,Yesterday’s gone, yesterday’s gone.

No kill nation, here we come!

Note: If organizations or communities want help in implementing a no kill mission, please contact Humane Network at humanenetworkinfo@gmail.com.

Diane Blankenberg will be blogging for Bark from the No-Kill Conference 2010 in Washington D.C. Community programs/development director for the Nevada Humane Society, Blankenberg is a speaker on animal homelessness and has written columns for The Times-Picayune, Reno Gazette Journal and Pet Folio Magazine. nokillconference.org